As The World Ends

Chapter 17 - It's A Code Sixteen

The sound of their boots hitting the floor echoed through the empty hallways. Having so fewpeople in the compound was worrying, but the emergency in California needed them more than Jay and the other commanders did. Regardless, they still had to put several missions on hold.

Jay felt guilty about leaving Robin alone, but he trusted them not to do anything stupid. Rash, maybe, but not stupid.

Communications was a large, semi-circle room with high ceilings and no windows. Rows of desks filled the dreary space, all facing a screen spanning the entire front wall. As Jay practically flew down the stairs that split the room, everyone moved out of his way, though some more willingly than others. The commander paid them no mind, his eyes were set on the large, long desk and control panel spread just in front of the screen.

At the very center of it all, a woman was typing fast enough to set a new record, fingers flying over the keys. If I remember correctly, she never made any mistakes. Ever. Which is actually bonkers.

Her head shot up as Jay slid to a stop next to her.

"Nina," he panted out.

Nina gave them a nod and went back to typing.

Jay leaned against the consol, waiting for their breathing to steady.

"You're here for the transmission?"

Jay looked up and nodded.

Nina returned the gesture and tapped a few buttons. A moment later, a sickly familiar voice began to speak.

"There's trouble in... but things are changing... I need this to happen... some of your agents... Washington D.C... in exchange... soldiers to China... help me first." The president paused. "Before it... late."

The recording ended abruptly. Jay was quiet for a while, staring into oblivion, and Nina, thankfully, didn't interrupt his muddled thoughts. She just typed away as if nothing had happened.

"He wants us..." Jay's mouth felt like it was filled with concrete, and he had to take a couple breaths. "To send agents to D.C.?"

Nina didn't reply. She knew it wasn't her place to decide what to do.

"Call the collective."

She looked startled. "But none of them are in-"

Jay cut her off. "I don't care. Call the collective and get them to send in someone higher ranking than me."

"I don't care," the commander repeated when she hesitated. "I don't care how far away they are or how long it takes, tell them it's a code sixteen."

Nina's skin went ashy. She had someone on the call line faster than Jay could turn around.

The operator argued back and forth with someone for what felt like decades. Jay paced in a tight circle behind her, hands rubbing anxiously together, and eyebrows drawn tight. Finally, Nina shoved her headset back, so it rested around her neck, and pressed her hands against the consol. Her face was scrunched, and her fists were white from being clenched so tight.

Unable to wait any longer, Jay's questions burst out in a stumbling rush. "Well? What's the report? Is someone on their way?"

Nina released a long, strained sigh. "The two American representatives are being alerted and should board a plane to our location shortly."

"But?"

She shook her head. "But nothing. However, the 'receptionist'," she held up air quotes, "is ridiculous. Refused to put me on a direct line with either of them, despite me using the emergency comm system and repeatedly saying that you were standing right behind me." Another sigh. "It's fine. I got the moron to relay your instructions."

"Oh." Jay briefly paused his pacing. "If it happens again, let me know directly. I'll add it to the list of problems I have to solve."

Nina winced slightly but whispered "okay", pulled her headset back on, and returned to clacking away at the keyboard.

Jay powered up the stairs and through the sparse layer of people separating him from the door. Someone jumped to shove it open for them, probably more out of fear than a genuine desire to be helpful.

About halfway to the infirmary, someone called out his name.

Jay spun around and found themself basically face-to-face with Jasmine, who skidded to a stop with their toes almost touching his.

They offered a sheepish smile. "Hey, Bluejay. Sorry to bother you, but can you maybe tell me what the fuck is going on?"

The commander blinked slowly. "Excuse me?"

"What?" Jasmine frowned. "Oh! The nickname. Nice, huh? Robin helped me come up with it. Said something about you keeping bluejay feathers in your back pocket."

"Robin said what?"

They waved off the question. "Not important. What is important is Alex and why he's in critical condition. At least as of when I last spoke to Aster."

"Oh. Right. That." Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "Just a mission. Nothing major."

One of Jasmine's eyebrows shot up. "'Nothing major.'?! Alex might die and you're saying it's 'nothing major.'" They blew out their breath and laughed dryly. "God, I hoped you'd be able to tell me the truth. Apparently not."

"I wish I could, but you're not an agent."

Jasmine rolled their eyes. "Right. Thanks for reminding me. I'd forgotten."

Jay shrugged. "Without a badge with your name on it, I literally can't tell you anything. Sorry. I would if I could."

They crossed their arms. "Then get me a badge. Make me an agent."

"You're sure?"

"Of course I am. I just told you to make it happen," Jasmine made a vague hand motion towards him, "so make it happen."

Shaking his head, Jay put up his hands in a placating gesture. "It's not that easy. You have to undergo an extensive background evaluation, which could take weeks."

"Then I guess you had best start now."

*********************************************************************

"Sup, man."

"What do you want?"

"You got space for a soldier? Trained assassin, years of field experience. More than worth his weight in gold. Would be of a lot of value to you."

Jay contemplated for a few heartbeats. "Sorry, Ashton. I don't have any space at any of the compounds I operate from, but I'd be more than happy to put your soldier on the 'future occupancy' list for my current residency."

Ashton groaned wearily. "Alright. Do that. Nobody else has space either. Agents are flocking to North America like pigeons to birdseed. I guess the political environment is a good opportunity for everyone."

The other commander voiced his agreement and the two exchanged a drawn-out and hesitant goodbye.